The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for winter fuel assistance is already running out of money, said Anna Via, community programs director at the Arkansas River Valley Area Council, Inc. (ARVAC). The program has received 3,000 applications in two days, Via told board members at ARVAC's monthly meeting Tuesday. "They're begging us," she said, adding that the agency was cut and was quickly running out of money.

ARVAC Division Director Anna Via reported that the program will receive more funds through the federal government for Fiscal Year 2004 -- allocations of $704,265, an increase of $28,953, from the original 2003 budget of $675,312. She added that ARVAC is one of 16 agencies being considered for a Commodity Supplemental Food Project.The project is scheduled to begin on Oct. 1 with a Monday deadline.The project would supply food for men and women 60-over.Each person would receive a box of food weighing approximately 40 pounds with a value of $50. An existing 20,000-square-foot building is needed, accofding to Via, and would cost an estimated $130,000-$160,000 if a new one was built.Via said that the program has considered using either the former Atkins pickle plant or a former grocery store in Atkins.She said she has talked with Atkins Mayor Jerry Don Barrett about getting in contact with Dean Foods, the owner of the pickle plant building. The state has an interest in capital expenditures of approximately $50,000 to go toward the purchase of equipment and other items needed, according to Via. ARVAC has been verbally informed that it would get 2,000 slots (people) at a cost of $50 per-package per-month.The 2,000 individuals will have to be known by the agency before they are approved. The program would use its existing staff of nine and also volunteers to deliver, sack and drive.Local churches would be used as distribution or drop-off points, according to Via.